A track of ice is the making for great racing

A warm pair of socks, snow boots, gloves, hat scarf and a warm coat: That's what you needed to watch the AMA Motorcycle and Quad Ice Racing. The races were held every Sunday during January at Morningside Park in Hurleyville and were sponsored by the Tri-State MC LTD and the Town of Fallsburg.

A warm pair of socks, snow boots, gloves, hat scarf and a warm coat: That's what you needed to watch the AMA Motorcycle and Quad Ice Racing. The races were held every Sunday during January at Morningside Park in Hurleyville and were sponsored by the Tri-State MC LTD and the Town of Fallsburg.

In order to race, there had to be at least 8 inches of ice. Conditions were perfect as the quads and motorcycles raced around the track. Chewed-up ice from the studded tires, usually sheet metal screws or Kold Kutters, flew in a rooster tail behind each racer as he cut around the turns of the track. Racers waiting for their heat held their hands near their exhaust to warm them. The shoreline was filled with cheering spectators with cameras and video cameras in hand catching all the action.

Men, women and kids were all part of the racing menu. Lexi Cutter, 10, of Queensbury, has been racing for three years on her quad and strictly on ice. Since she was the only one in her class, she was allowed to race with the big guys, and she was right there with them all around the track. Gary and Carrie Cutter, Lexi's parents, say that she usually wins in her usual 90cc class. She was definitely a crowd favorite.

Mike "Mikie" LaBagh of Middletown has found his niche as a quad racer. He has racked up several wins on his No. 357 quad at Oakland Valley and Accord Speedway, and at the Orange County Fair Speedway for the quad race that takes place during fair week.

This race, his tires were studded for the ice. Mike raced to the finish line in first place as he chased down the leader and passed him on the inside to take the checkered flag in the Quad Pro Class. It brought the crowd to their feet. Mike is sponsored by To the Max Landscaping, owned by his twin brother Max.

Results and more info can be found at tristateclub.com, or find them on Facebook.